A Way to Please Your Guests

Updated Aug. 7, 2000 1:15 p.m. ET

I have a suggestion for those of you who take time selecting the wines for dinner and don't want to hurt the invited guest who brings a bottle that you are not ready to open. My wife and I keep a gold pen (available from wine shops) on hand. When the guest gives us the bottle we thank them and tell them that such a lovely wine needs time to age and reach its full potential. Since their gift is important to us we will write their name on the bottle with the gold pen and tell them we will enjoy it with them when it is ready. Often we are able to and people have a great thrill of having something they brought over some...